College Basketball Picks Today:
Expert college basketball handicapper Greg Peterson shares his top college basketball picks today for Thursday, March 5.
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4:30 PM Eastern
Drake Bulldogs vs. Southern Illinois Salukis
Drake has had major defensive issues this season, ranking 280th in points per possession allowed and giving up plenty of second chances, ranking 203rd in defensive rebound percentage. Their offense has maximized possessions by taking care of the ball, ranking 65th in fewest turnovers per possession. Southern Illinois has struggled from three-point range, ranking 362nd at 28.4%, but they are sixth in the nation in the lowest percentage of field goal attempts that come from three-point range and play at a fast tempo, ranking 84th in possessions per game.
Pick: Drake vs. Southern Illinois Over 136.5 (Greg’s Handicapped Total 141)
6:00 PM Eastern
Sacred Heart Pioneers vs. Iona Gaels
Sacred Heart relies heavily on three-point shooting, with 50.2% of their field goal attempts coming from beyond the arc, the 15th-highest percentage in the nation. They face an Iona defense allowing just 30.4% shooting from three-point range, which ranks 22nd nationally. Sacred Heart has also struggled with ball security and defense, ranking 250th in turnovers per possession on offense and 297th in points per possession allowed.
Pick: Iona -2.5 (Greg’s Handicap Iona -5.5)
7:00 PM Eastern
Sam Houston State Bearkats vs. Delaware Blue Hens
Both teams shoot well from three-point range, with Delaware ranking 34th at 36.9% and Sam Houston State 20th at 38%. However, Delaware slows games down significantly, ranking 348th in possessions per game. They also rank 361st in offensive rebound percentage, grabbing just 18.5% of their missed shots, and are 241st in points per possession overall. Sam Houston State has had issues finishing inside, ranking 199th in two-point shooting percentage.
Pick: Sam Houston State vs. Delaware Under 148.5 (Greg’s Handicapped Total 143.5)
American Eagles vs. Boston U Terriers
Both teams play at a slow pace, with American ranking 297th in possessions per game and Boston University 336th. American also cuts down on clean possessions by forcing turnovers, ranking 42nd in turnovers per possession generated. Second chances should be limited as American ranks 310th in offensive rebound percentage and Boston University ranks 256th. American ranks 185th in points per possession on offense.
Pick: American vs. Boston U Under 142.5 (Greg’s Handicapped Total 138)
Loyola MD Greyhounds vs. Colgate Raiders
Loyola Maryland has struggled defending the interior, ranking 349th in opponent two-point shooting percentage and 278th in points per possession allowed. Colgate shoots well from three-point range at home, ranking 49th at 38.2%, and their defense limits second chances by allowing opponents to rebound just 22% of missed shots as offensive rebounds at home, ranking 25th in the nation.
Pick: Colgate -6.5 (Greg’s Handicap Colgate -10)
Tulsa Golden Hurricane vs. East Carolina Pirates
Tulsa has been extremely efficient offensively, ranking seventh in points per possession, but they play at a moderate pace, ranking 168th in possessions per game. East Carolina has struggled offensively, ranking 308th in points per possession and 352nd in three-point shooting percentage at 29.1%. At home, East Carolina allows just 33.3% shooting from three-point range.
Pick: Tulsa vs. East Carolina Under 156.5 (Greg’s Handicapped Total 151.5)
8:00 PM Eastern
Rutgers Scarlet Knights vs. Michigan State Spartans
Rutgers ranks 263rd in points per possession on offense, while Michigan State leads the nation in defensive rebound percentage, allowing opponents to grab just 19.9% of their missed shots as offensive rebounds. The pace should be slow with Rutgers ranking 270th and Michigan State 285th in possessions per game. Michigan State’s three-point shooting drops from 39.2% away from home to 32.7% at home.
Pick: Rutgers vs. Michigan State Under 141.5 (Greg’s Handicapped Total 138.5)
Prairie View Panthers vs. Texas Southern Tigers
Prairie View plays at one of the fastest tempos in the country, ranking 11th in possessions per game, and their defense creates havoc by ranking 19th in turnovers forced away from home. Texas Southern ranks 309th in turnovers per possession on offense and allows the 18th-most free throw attempts per possession on defense. Prairie View shoots 76.1% from the free throw line, ranking 53rd nationally.
Picks: Prairie View +4.5 and Over 154 (Greg’s Handicap Prairie View +1.5 and Total 157.5)
Coppin State Eagles vs. Morgan State Bears
Coppin State has struggled across the board, ranking 363rd in points per possession on offense, 342nd in points per possession allowed, and 320th in rebound percentage. Morgan State ranks third in MEAC play in three-point shooting percentage at 34.9% and leads the nation in free throw attempts allowed per possession, which should not hurt them here since Coppin State ranks just 340th in free throw shooting at 66.9%.
Pick: Morgan State -6.5 (Greg’s Handicap Morgan State -11.5)
Mississippi Valley State Delta Devils vs. Jackson State Tigers
Mississippi Valley State ranks near the bottom nationally in several categories, including 353rd in rebound percentage, 364th in points per possession on offense, and 355th in points per possession allowed. Jackson State’s offense has been much better at home, ranking 132nd in points per possession compared to 358th away from home. Mississippi Valley State also allows the third-most free throw attempts per possession in the nation, and Jackson State shoots 76.5% from the line, ranking 44th.
Pick: Jackson State -10.5 (Greg’s Handicap Jackson State -15)
9:30 PM Eastern
CS Northridge Matadors vs. CS Bakersfield Roadrunners
CS Bakersfield takes a high percentage of shots inside the arc, ranking eighth nationally in share of two-point attempts, yet ranks just 343rd in two-point shooting percentage and 313th in turnovers per possession. They also rank 302nd in points per possession allowed on defense. Their main strength is offensive rebounding (182nd), but CS Northridge limits second chances well, allowing opponents to rebound just 24.4% of their missed shots as offensive rebounds, ranking 34th nationally.
Pick: CS Northridge -8.5 (Greg’s Handicap CS Northridge -11)
11:30 PM Eastern
San Diego Toreros vs. Loyola Marymount Lions
San Diego lost both head coach Steve Lavin and leading scorer Ty-Laur Johnson from a roster built around perimeter play. The team ranks 344th in rebound percentage and sees its three-point shooting percentage drop from 37.8% at home to 31.4% away from home. Loyola Marymount ranks 254th in points per possession on offense.
Pick: San Diego vs. Loyola Marymount Under 148.5 (Greg’s Handicapped Total 144.5)
